Beverage dispenser head for mixing concentrate, diluent and additive

ABSTRACT

A dispenser head for in-line mixing and dispensing of beverages, which may be carbonated or nitrogenated. The dispenser head comprising a pump, a dilution mechanism, an additive mechanism, and outlet nozzle and optionally a regulation system. In use, the pump can pump concentrate liquid for the liquid product from a concentrate source to the dilution mechanism; the dilution mechanism can receive diluent liquid suitable for the liquid product from a diluent source, operable to mix the diluent liquid and the concentrate liquid and provide diluted concentrate liquid; and the additive mechanism can receive additive fluid for the liquid product from an additive source, to combine the diluted concentrate liquid and the additive fluid. The regulation system comprises a pump regulator means for regulating the quantity of concentrate liquid pumped into the dilution mechanism within the dispense period; a diluent quantity regulator means for regulating the flow of diluent liquid into the dilution mechanism; and an additive quantity regulator means for regulating the flow of additive fluid into the additive mechanism. Preferably, the dispenser head is a unitary device, which may be supplied attached to a vessel containing the concentrate.

This disclosure relates generally to a dispenser head, in particular,although not exclusively, to a beverage dispenser head for in-linedispensing of beverages. The dispenser head of the present invention issuitable for dispensing effervescible liquids, such as carbonated ornitrogenated beverages, foodstuffs or soaps, and still liquids such asfruit juice.

International patent application publication number WO2014135563discloses a pump comprising a rotor that can rotate within a housing topump a first liquid from a first inlet to an outlet, and a second inletfor introducing a second fluid into the outlet to mix with the firstfluid. For example, the first liquid may be a beverage concentrate,dairy product, alcoholic beverage, liquid medicine or detergent from acontainer, and the second liquid may be still, or carbonated ornitrogenated water to dilute, carbonate, nitrogenate or foam the firstliquid.

GB 2 507 029 discloses a liquid delivery system comprising a pumpmechanism having an inlet adaptor for connecting the pump to a containerof liquid concentrate. The pump mechanism comprises a rotor within apump housing, the rotor including a radially depressed surface area forconveying relatively precise quanta of the concentrate from the inlet toan outlet as the rotor rotates. A seal located between the inlet isurged against the rotor surface to prevent fluid passing from the outletto the inlet and expel liquid through the outlet as the radiallydepressed surface area rotates against the seal. The system includes afirst inlet tube downstream from the pump mechanism for introducingdiluent liquid such as water to dilute the pumped concentrate, and asecond inlet tube downstream from the first inlet tube for introducinggas such as carbon dioxide into the diluted concentrate to provide acarbonated liquid mixture.

There is a need for an improved dispenser head and method for producingand dispensing liquid product on demand (particularly but notexclusively effervescible beverages such as carbonated or nitrogenatedbeverages or foodstuffs). The dispenser head may also be arranged to mixfluids to produce a liquid to be dispensed or required composition.Suitably, such a dispenser head will be relatively efficient, rapid andhygienic, and be able to dispense liquids with a relatively precisecomposition.

According to a first aspect there is provided a dispenser headcomprising a pump, a dilution mechanism, an additive mechanism and anoutlet nozzle, the pump comprising an attachment mechanism including aduct, a rotor rotatably mounted within a pump housing, the pump housingcomprising a pump inlet and a pump outlet, wherein the duct is in fluidflow communication with the pump inlet and the pump outlet is in fluidflow communication with the dilution mechanism, the dilution mechanismcomprising a dilution housing comprising a dilution chamber and adiluent duct comprising a diluent inlet and an orifice, the diluent ductbeing in fluid flow communication with the diluent chamber by means ofthe orifice and the pump outlet opening into the diluent chamber, thediluent mechanism being connected to the additive mechanism via a valve,the additive mechanism comprising an additive housing comprising anadditive chamber, an additive inlet in fluid flow communication with theadditive chamber, and the additive chamber being in fluid flowcommunication with the outlet nozzle.

Preferably the valve connecting the diluent mechanism to the additivemechanism is a one-way valve.

The dispenser head of the present invention can be used for producing aquantity of fluid, which may comprise an effervescible liquid, such as afoamed foodstuff or a carbonated beverage. The pump, dilution mechanism,and additive mechanism are suitably cooperatively configured such thatin use the pump mechanism can pump concentrate liquid for the liquidproduct from a concentrate source to the dilution mechanism; thedilution mechanism can receive diluent liquid suitable for the liquidproduct from a diluent source, operable to mix the diluent liquid andthe concentrate liquid and provide diluted concentrate liquid; and theadditive mechanism can receive additive fluid for the liquid productfrom an additive source, operable to combine the diluted concentrateliquid and the additive fluid. The additive fluid may be, comprise orconsist essentially of a liquid, particularly but not exclusively aneffervescible liquid, or a gas. The dispenser head of the presentinvention may further comprise a regulation system comprising a pumpregulator means for regulating the flow of concentrate liquid pumpedinto the dilution mechanism; a diluent quantity regulator means forregulating the flow of diluent liquid that flows into the dilutionmechanism; and an additive quantity regulator means for regulating theflow of additive fluid that flows into the additive mechanism.

Suitably the dispenser head of the present invention may be used in anin-line dispenser assembly to provide dispensed liquids on demand. Anin-line dispenser assembly according to a second aspect of the presentinvention may comprise a dispenser head of the present invention and asupplemental fluid supply system for supplying diluent liquid through adiluent channel and additive fluid through an additive channel;configured such that the dilution mechanism can be connected to thediluent channel for the diluent liquid to flow from the diluent channelinto the dilution mechanism, and the additive mechanism can be connectedto the additive channel for the additive fluid to flow from the additivechannel to the additive mechanism.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method ofdispensing an effervescent liquid using a dispenser head according tothe present invention, the method including: determining a quantity ofconcentrate liquid and a quantity of additive liquid to be combined anddispensed as constituents of the liquid product, the additive liquidbeing effervescible liquid; providing a concentrate source connected tothe pump such that the pump can pump concentrate liquid from theconcentrate source to the dilution mechanism; activating the pump topump the quantity of concentrate liquid into the additive mechanism andputting an additive source into fluid communication with the additivemechanism to allow the quantity of additive liquid to flow into theadditive mechanism; and dispensing the quantity of liquid productcomprising the quantity of the concentrate liquid and the quantity ofadditive liquid.

According to a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method ofdispensing a still liquid product using a dispenser head according tothe present invention, the method including: determining a quantity ofconcentrate liquid and a quantity of diluent liquid to be combined anddispensed as constituents of the liquid product; providing a concentratesource connected to the pump such that the pump can pump concentrateliquid from the concentrate source to the dilution mechanism; activatingthe pump to pump the quantity of concentrate liquid into the dilutionmechanism and putting a diluent source into fluid communication with thedilution mechanism to allow the quantity of diluent liquid to flow intothe dilution mechanism; and dispensing the liquid product comprising theconcentrate liquid and the diluent liquid.

According to a fifth aspect there is provided a method of cleaning adispenser head according to the present invention, the method including:putting the additive mechanism in fluid communication with a source ofcleaning fluid at sufficient pressure for the cleaning fluid to flowinto the dispenser head, and then putting the additive mechanism out offluid communication with the source of cleaning fluid and removing thecleaning fluid from the dispenser head.

Various dispenser head and in-line dispenser head arrangements, as wellas methods of dispensing liquid product and cleaning dispenser systems,are envisaged by this disclosure, non-limiting and non-exhaustiveexamples of which are described below.

The dispenser head of the present invention may be provided in assembledform as in use, in kit form, or in partially assembled form. In apreferred embodiment, the pump, dilution mechanism, additive mechanismand outlet nozzle of the dispenser head are provided as a unitaryconstruction. Suitably, the unitary construction comprises a singleplastic device made by any suitable method, for example, by injectionmoulding.

Suitably, the concentrate source may comprise a vessel for containingthe concentrate liquid, which can be connected to the pump by means ofthe attachment mechanism such that the concentrate liquid can flow fromthe vessel into the pump in response to operation of the pump mechanism.

The dispenser head may be attachable to the vessel of concentrate liquidby means of coupling mechanism that can be released and operable todetach the vessel from the dispenser head. Preferably, the dispenserhead is fixedly attached to the vessel of concentrate liquid such thatthe dispenser system may be disposed of once the vessel has been emptiedof its concentrate contents.

In some example arrangements, the pump may be configured for pumping theconcentrate liquid as a series of discrete quanta of the concentrateliquid, or as a continuous flow of concentrate liquid. The mean pumpingrate of the concentrate liquid may be predetermined or controllable by aregulation means.

In some example arrangements, the dilution mechanism may be configuredto promote the rapid dilution of the concentrate liquid with the diluentliquid and thus reduce the viscosity and/or the Brix value of theconcentrate liquid to be combined with effervescible additive liquid bythe additive mechanism, whilst reducing or substantially avoidingpremature or excessive effervescence of the effervescible additiveliquid.

In use, the dilution chamber can receive the pumped concentrate liquidfrom the pump, and the diluent duct can convey the diluent liquid fromthe diluent source into the dilution chamber. The dilution mechanism maybe configured such that the concentrate liquid can mix with the diluentliquid within the dilution chamber to produce the diluted concentrateliquid. In some cases, there is no need to add diluent liquid to theconcentrate liquid. In which case, the undiluted concentrate passes fromthe pump through the dilution mechanism and then into the additivemechanism undiluted. The diluted or undiluted concentrate liquid flowsfrom the dilution chamber to the additive mechanism. The dispenser head(or more specifically, the dilution mechanism or the additive mechanism)comprises a flow regulator means for allowing liquid to flow from thedilution chamber to the additive chamber. Preferably the flow regulatormeans is one-way, thereby allowing liquid to flow from the dilutionchamber to the additive chamber but preventing the flow of fluid fromthe additive chamber into the dilution chamber.

The diluent liquid can flow into the dilution chamber through thediluent orifice, the outlet area of the diluent orifice beingsufficiently small to produce a jet of diluent liquid for promotingmixing with the concentrate liquid. In other words, the cross-sectionalarea of the diluent orifice may be sufficiently smaller than the meancross-sectional area of the rest the diluent duct such that the velocityat which the diluent liquid is introduced into the dilution chamber issubstantially greater than the mean velocity at which the diluent liquidflows through the rest of the diluent duct. Injecting the diluent liquidinto the dilution chamber, and thus into concentrate liquid within thedilution chamber, at relatively high velocity may have the aspect ofpromoting relatively rapid mixing of the diluent liquid and theconcentrate liquid.

If the area of the diluent orifice and the pressure of the diluentliquid are known (for example, if the pressure of the diluent liquid iscontrolled by a pressure regulator), then the quantity of the diluentliquid introduced into the dilution chamber can be determined andcontrolled by controlling the period of time over which the diluentliquid is allowed to flow into the dilution chamber. For example, adiluent shut-off valve may be controlled to allow or block the flow ofthe diluent liquid, by putting the shut-off valve into an open or closedstate, respectively.

In some example arrangements, the diluent fluid may be water suppliedfrom a mains water source.

In a preferred embodiment the diluent orifice is upstream of the pumpoutlet.

It may be desirable that concentrate liquid is prevented from enteringthe mains water supply, or other source of diluent fluid. Furthermore,it may be desirable that the concentrate liquid (whether diluted or not)is prevented from entering the source of additive fluid such ascarbonated water or nitrogenated liquid (in some examples, theconcentrate liquid may have a high sugar content, or Brix value, and/ora high fat content and be capable of promoting biological growth). Incertain circumstances, there may be a legal requirement not tocontaminate the mains water supply, and hygienic reasons not tocontaminate the additive fluid supply. In addition, it may beundesirable for water from a mains supply, or carbonated water, to enterthe source container of the concentrate liquid, to avoid contaminationor premature partial dilution of the concentrate liquid, which may makeit difficult or impossible to subsequently achieve a precise dilutionratio in the dispensed liquid. In view of these points, the flow of theconcentrate liquid may need to be switched off before the diluent supplyis switched off in order to flush at least the dilution chamber andensure that no concentrate liquid, or diluted concentrate, orsubsequently mixed liquid passes back through the diluent orifice. Thediluted concentrate and/or additive liquid, having been combined andmixed, exits downstream from (below) and not in contact with the exit ofthe additive liquid; and additionally, the additive liquid may pass awasher-type check valve so that mixed liquid product cannot re-enter theduct supplying the additive liquid. The concentrate liquid may beintroduced into a zone of the additive chamber that is at a lowerpressure than the supply pressure of the diluted or undilutedconcentrate liquid to ensure that the additive liquid does not force thediluted or undiluted concentrate up into the dilution chamber, or upthrough the diluent orifice.

In some example arrangements, in which water is introduced into thedispenser head from the mains supply, it may be desirable to keep themains water pressure within a regulated standard range. Suitably, adispenser head according to the present invention is suitable forreceiving water at a pressure of about 150 kPA (1.5 bar). Since manyterritories provide mains water at least at this pressure and it may besubstantially easier to regulate the pressure down (that is, to reducethe pressure) than to introduce a water pump into the system to increasethe pressure. For example, if diluent water is known to be at a pressureof about 150 kPa, then the velocity of the water passing through adiluent orifice having a known area can be determined.

If the flow rate of the diluent is substantially constant, then thequantity of diluent mixed with the concentrate liquid (in other words,the ratio of the diluent liquid to the concentrate liquid) can bedetermined and regulated by controlling the period of time over whichthe diluent water is permitted to flow into the dilution chamber. Forexample, if diluent water (or other liquid) passes through therestricted orifice at about 20 ml/s (millilitres per second) and thedesired dilution ratio is 2:1, then the pump mechanism needs to deliverconcentrate liquid at a rate of about 6.6 ml/s (that is, 20 ml/s dividedby 3) and so the total combined flow rate will be about 26.6 ml/s. If200 ml of beverage is to be dispensed into a glass, for example, thenthe time required will be about 7.5 s (that is, 200 ml divided by 26.6ml/s). In another example, in which a concentrate liquid needs to bediluted in a ratio of 4:1 (diluent to concentrate liquid), then the pumpmechanism needs to deliver about 4.0 ml/s (that is, 20 ml divided by 5)of concentrate liquid and the total combined flow rate will be about 24ml/s and the time for filling the 200 ml glass would be 8.33 s (that is200 ml divided by 24 ml/s). Users may consider dispensing periods ofthese magnitudes to be convenient and sufficiently short. However, inexamples where a concentrate liquid needs to be diluted in higherratios, say a 24:1 dilution ratio, then the pump mechanism needs todeliver concentrate at a flow rate of about 0.8 ml/s (that is, 20 ml/sdivided by 25), yielding a dispensing period of about 9.6 s, which maybe considered to be a relatively long time for dispensing a glass of thebeverage. An example way of reducing the dispensing time where thedilution ratio needs to be relatively high may be to use a dispensersystem in which the restricted orifice through which the diluent liquidenters the dilution chamber has a larger area.

A dispenser head according to the present invention may include an RFIDmeans, or other suitable data storage and indication means, forindicating the magnitude of the diluent orifice and/or other dataregarding the dispenser head; such a data indication means may becapable of communicating with a regulation system and/or with a pumpdriver mechanism. Example data indication means may be capable ofcommunicating other operating parameters for operating the dispenserhead, or for modifying parameters for supplying concentrate liquid,and/or diluent liquid, and/or additive fluid to the dispenser head.

The pump may comprise a seal member capable of bearing against the rotoroperable to prevent concentrate liquid from passing from the pump outletto the pump inlet, and to expel concentrate liquid into the pump outlet.The seal member may be a diaphragm seal, or membrane that is asufficiently thin and flexible portion of the pump housing. The pump andthe diluent duct may be cooperatively configured such that pressure ofdiluent liquid within the diluent duct can be transmitted onto the rotorvia the seal member. For example, the diluent duct may be configuredsuch that diluent liquid can flow against a rear side of the seal member(that is, the side of the seal member opposite the side that willcontact the rotor in use) and the pressure of the diluent liquid may besufficiently great to urge the seal member against the rotating rotorwith sufficient force to prevent concentrate liquid from passing betweenthe surfaces of the rotor and the pump housing. For example, where thediluent liquid is mains water, a pressure of 150 kPA may be suitable forapplying to a diaphragm seal to force the diaphragm seal against therotor. Additionally, the pressure drop across the diluent orifice meansthat the diluent pressure after passing through the diluent orifice islower than the pressure before the diluent orifice therefore thediaphragm will always be persuaded against the rotor to form a seal andthus prevent diluent passing through the pump to the source reservoir.

In some example arrangements, the dilution mechanism may comprise aconcentrate disperser means for dispersing the concentrate liquid andincreasing the surface area of the concentrate liquid for promotingmixing with the diluent liquid. In some examples, the concentratedisperser means may be configured and arranged for dispersing theconcentrate liquid as a film for promoting mixing with the diluentliquid; for example, the disperser means may comprise a flexible member,shaped as an annular or circular disc (such as a washer), configured andarranged for dispersing the concentrate liquid (in diluted, undiluted orpartially diluted form) radially outward, by deflecting the flow of theliquid such that the radial flow of the dispersed liquid may besubstantially uniform azimuthally around the central axis. In someexamples, the concentrate disperser means may comprise an atomiser meansforming the concentrate liquid into a plurality of droplets.

In some example arrangements, the dilution mechanism (or morespecifically, the concentrate disperser means) may comprise alabyrinthine passage configured for conveying the concentrate liquidover an extended flow path operable to promote mixing with the diluentliquid. In other words, the dilution mechanism may comprise a convolutedor reticulated passage arrangement through which the concentrate liquidand diluent liquid can flow to extend the path and time over which theconcentrate and diluent liquids can mix.

Preferably, the diluted or undiluted concentrate liquid can combine withthe additive fluid within the additive chamber. The diluted or undilutedconcentrate liquid can at least partially combine within a receptacleinto which the liquid is to be dispensed. Suitably, in all aspects ofthe present invention, at least some of the diluted or undilutedconcentrate liquid and the additive liquid may be allowed to flow intothe additive mechanism simultaneously to combine at least partly in theadditive mechanism; and/or at least partly sequentially to combinepartly in the additive mechanism and partly in a receptacle, or tocombine only in a receptacle.

In some example arrangements, the additive inlet may be configured to besubstantially free of nucleation sites for the formation of gas bubbleswithin additive fluid when the additive fluid is an effervescibleliquid. For example, the additive duct may be substantially free ofabrupt changes in direction or in cross-sectional area, and/or free ofcorners or surface asperities.

In some example arrangements, the additive chamber may comprise bubblenucleation means and/or be configured to include nucleation sites forpromoting the formation of gas bubbles. For example, the additivechamber may contain a gauze or open mesh or textured surface to promoteabrupt changes in direction and/or cross-sectional area. Sucharrangements may be suitable for use where the additive fluid isnitrogenated liquid, in which some nitrogen gas has not been absorbed(in other words, dissolved) in water or other carrier liquid and remainspresent in the form of micro-bubbles (that is, bubbles having arelatively small mean size). Unlike carbonated water in which carbondioxide is present in water, it may be relatively more difficult tobreak the bubbles out of solution, and if it is desirable for form ahead of foam on the dispensed liquid, then a surface configured forpromoting the nucleation of bubbles may be required, since agitation ofthe beverage in the beverage receptacle may be insufficient to achieve adesired amount of foam.

In some example arrangements, the additive mechanism may comprise anadditive disperser means for dispersing the additive fluid within theadditive chamber; and may be configured such that the additive fluidwill be dispersed before being combined with the diluted (or undiluted)concentrate liquid.

A beverage dispenser according to the present invention may furthercomprise a regulation system comprising a diluent flow rate regulatormeans for regulating the flow rate of the diluent liquid into thedilution mechanism; and/or the regulation system may comprise anadditive flow rate regulator means for regulating the flow rate of theadditive fluid into the additive mechanism. The flow rate regulatormeans for the diluent liquid and/or the additive fluid may comprise apressure-responsive flow control means operable to oppose a change inthe flow rate of the diluent liquid in response to a change in thepressure of the diluent liquid/additive fluid received from the diluentsource/additive source, respectively (fluid flow rate may be regulatedin terms of flow velocity, or flux, being the mass of the fluid passingthrough a unit area per unit time). An example additive flow rateregulator means may be configured such that the flow rate of theadditive fluid when its pressure is 1 000 kPa is no more than 110% ofthe flow rate of the additive fluid when its pressure in the additivesource is 600 kPa. In another example additive flow rate regulator meansmay be configured such that the flow rate of the additive fluid when itspressure is 600 kPa is no more than 110% of the flow rate of theadditive fluid when its pressure in the additive source is 100 kPa.

Example flow rate regulator means may comprise a flexible member havinga central orifice connecting opposite ends, in which the flowing fluidwill flow through the orifice; configured such that the orifice willrespond to an increase in fluid pressure by reducing in cross-sectionarea, and to a decrease in fluid pressure by increasing in cross-sectionarea.

In some example arrangements, the regulation system may comprise aprocessor means configured for receiving input data indicative of thequantity of liquid product to be dispensed and for issuing controlsignals operable to control at least one respective operating parameterof each of the diluent quantity regulator and the additive quantityregulator, to dispense the quantity of the liquid product. The processormeans may be an electronic computer processor, or microprocessor. Theprocessor means may comprise a data receiver means for receiving data inthe form of electromagnetic, electronic or optical signals.

In some example arrangements, the diluent quantity regulator means maycomprise a diluent flow control means capable of being put into an openstate and a closed state in response to the control signal received fromthe processor means, configured and arranged such that the diluentliquid can enter the dilution mechanism when the diluent flow controlmeans is in the open state and the diluent liquid cannot enter thedilution mechanism when the diluent flow control means is in the closedstate.

In addition or alternatively, the additive quantity regulator means maycomprise an additive flow control means capable of being put into anopen state and a closed state in response to the control signal receivedfrom the processor means, configured and arranged such that the additivefluid can enter the additive mechanism when the additive flow controlmeans is in the open state and the additive fluid cannot enter theadditive mechanism when the additive flow control means is in the closedstate.

In some example arrangements, the processor means may be configuredoperable to receive data that is indicative of a mean diluent liquidflow rate into the dilution mechanism when the diluent flow controlmeans is in the open state, and/or a quantity of the diluent liquid tobe mixed with the concentrate liquid, and/or a pumping rate at which theconcentrate is being or can be pumped. The processor means may beconfigured for putting the diluent flow control means in the open statefor a sufficient period to allow the quantity of diluent liquid to enterthe dilution chamber, and then put the diluent flow control means intothe closed state.

In some example arrangements, the processor means may be configuredoperable to receive data that is indicative of a mean additive fluidflow rate into the additive mechanism when the additive flow controlmeans is in the open state, and/or a quantity of the additive fluid tobe combined with the concentrate liquid, and/or a pumping rate at whichthe concentrate is pumped. The processor means may be configured forputting the additive flow control means in the open state for asufficient period to allow the quantity of additive fluid to enter theadditive chamber, and then put the additive flow control means into theclosed state.

In some examples, the processor means may be configured operable toreceive sugar content data that is indicative of a quantity of sugarcontained within the concentrate liquid; determine a quantity of diluentliquid to be mixed with the concentrate liquid, the determination beingbased on the sugar content data; put the diluent flow control mechanismin the open state for a sufficient period to allow the determinedquantity of diluent liquid to enter the dilution chamber, and then putthe diluent flow control mechanism into the closed state. The sugarcontent data may be expressed in terms of a Brix value, such as degreesBrix.

In an embodiment, the dispenser head of the present invention maycomprise a plurality of elements that can be functionally coupled toeach other, a first element comprising the dilution mechanism, and asecond element comprising the additive mechanism. For example, thedispenser head may comprise a coupling mechanism for reversiblyconnecting the additive mechanism to the dilution mechanism such thatwhen the additive mechanism is connected to the dilution mechanism bythe coupling mechanism, diluted concentrate liquid can flow from thedilution mechanism into the additive mechanism.

In some example arrangements of an in-line dispenser assembly, asupplemental fluid supply system may be configurable for supplying atleast one of the diluent liquid and the additive fluid at a temperaturein the range of 1° C. to 10° C. The supplemental fluid supply system maybe configurable for supplying effervescible additive liquid at apressure of 600 to 1 000 kPa. The supplemental fluid supply system maybe capable of supplying carbonated or nitrogenated aqueous additiveliquid. It may also be desirable to maintain the temperature of theconcentrate liquid in the range from 2° C. to 10° C., partly to preservethe usable life of the concentrate liquid and partly to control thetemperature of the mixed liquid (for example, a beverage) dispensed intoa receptacle. For example, the concentrate may be maintained at about 6°C. If the temperature of the concentrate liquid is too low, then itsviscosity may become too high to flow and if the temperature of theconcentrate is too high its shelf life may be reduced.

Some example methods of dispensing liquid product may include connectingthe dilution mechanism to a diluent source of diluent liquid; puttingthe diluent source into fluid communication with the dilution mechanismto allow a quantity of the diluent liquid to flow into the dilutionmechanism and mix with the concentrate liquid to provide a quantity ofdiluted concentrate liquid, and then blocking fluid communicationbetween the diluent source and the dilution mechanism to preventadditional diluent liquid from flowing into the dilution mechanism; anddispensing the quantity of liquid product comprising the quantity ofdiluted concentrate and the quantity of additive liquid.

In another example embodiment, the method may include activating thepump and putting the diluent source into fluid communication with thedilution mechanism to allow a quantity of the diluent liquid to flowinto the dilution mechanism and mix with the concentrate liquid toprovide diluted concentrate liquid; dispensing at least a portion of thequantity of the diluted concentrate into a receptacle via the additivemechanism while the additive source is not in fluid communication withthe additive mechanism; and after a period putting the additive sourceinto fluid communication with the additive mechanism and dispensing thequantity of the additive liquid into the receptacle, such that at leasta portion of the quantity of the additive liquid and at least theportion of the diluted concentrate combine in the receptacle.

An example method of cleaning the dispenser head may include a sequenceof deactivating the pump after a period of use, then after a furtherperiod shutting off the flow of diluent liquid, and then after a furtherperiod shutting off the flow of additive fluid. This may have the effectof cleaning the dilution and additive chambers to remove traces ofconcentrate deposited from the concentrate liquid, which may have arelatively high sugar content (a high Brix value); and/or theconcentrate liquid may comprise or consist of a dairy product that mayresult in fatty deposits if the dilution and/or additive chambers, orother parts of the dispenser head are not cleaned.

The dispenser head should be configured such that the diluted orundiluted concentrate liquid cannot enter the additive duct and theadditive fluid cannot enter the source of the concentrate liquid.

The dispenser head may be disposable, and/or comprise recyclablematerial. The dispenser head may be reusable. For example, the dispenserhead may comprise a quick release connector, to facilitate use withmultiple concentrate vessels.

Whilst the dispenser head of the present invention may be used fordispensing a variety of liquid products, including foamed and non-foamedproducts, such as carbonated or nitrogenated beverages, carbonated ornitrogenated foodstuffs, for example cream or milk products, or foamedsoaps, for simplicity the dispenser head of the present invention willbe described in more detail in relation to carbonated or nitrogenatedbeverages. The detailed disclosure relating to carbonated ornitrogenated beverages apply equally to all carbonated or nitrogenatedliquids.

Example embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings, of which

FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of an example in-line beveragedispenser system;

FIG. 2A shows a schematic perspective view of an example dispenser head;

FIG. 2B shows a schematic side view of the example dispenser head shownin FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C shows a schematic longitudinal cross-section view the exampledispenser head shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D shows a schematic longitudinal cross-section view of a partlyassembled dispenser head in the plane B-B shown in FIG. 2B (in a planeperpendicular to that shown in FIG. 2C);

FIG. 2E shows a schematic longitudinal cross-section of a part of theexample dispenser head shown in FIG. 2D;

FIG. 3A shows a schematic side view of an example dispenser head;

FIG. 3B shows a schematic partial cross-section view on the plane C-Cindicated in FIG. 3A; and

FIG. 3C shows a schematic cross-section view of the expanded region Eindicated in FIG. 3B;

FIG. 4A shows a schematic longitudinal cross-section through an exampleflow rate regulator device, assembled as in use; and

FIG. 4B shows a schematic longitudinal cross-section through an examplevalve body for the example flow rate regulator device in FIG. 3A.

As used herein, an effervescible liquid is a liquid that is capable ofeffervescing; for example, in response to a decrease in the pressureapplied to the carrier liquid or an increase in its temperature.Effervescible liquid may comprise dissolved molecular species within acarrier liquid, in which the molecular species can come out of solutionin the gaseous state in the form of gas bubbles. For example,effervescible water (or other liquid, such as dairy liquid) may consistof or comprise carbon dioxide or nitrogen or nitrous oxide dissolvedand/or suspended within water (or other liquid).

Carbonated beverages comprise carbon dioxide dissolved in the beverage,in which carbon dioxide gas bubbles will evolve from the solution duringeffervescence. Nitrogenated beverages may comprise nitrogen suspended inthe beverage, in which nitrogen gas bubbles will evolve duringeffervescence. While nitrogen is substantially less soluble in waterthan carbon dioxide, relatively very small nitrogen gas bubbles may beheld in suspension in water. The nitrogenated liquid may comprisenitrous oxide, nitrogen or air bubbles suspended in liquid. For example,nitrogen may be introduced into beer or coffee, and nitrogenated beermay be stored in kegs. Unless otherwise stated herein, the term‘carbonated’ includes ‘carbonated’ or ‘nitrogenated’; that is acarbonated liquid may contain dissolved carbon dioxide or dissolvedand/or suspended nitrogen. Carbonated liquid may be capableeffervescing, the effervescence involving the evolution of carbondioxide or nitrogen gas bubbles.

The additive fluid may comprise or consist essentially of carbonatedliquid, suitably carbonated water, nitrogenated liquid, suitablynitrogenated water or dairy liquid or other aqueous liquid, containingas much dissolved or suspended carbon dioxide or nitrogen as possible.The saturation level of carbon dioxide or nitrogen generally increaseswith increasing pressure and decreasing temperature, for example, thehighest concentration in water being achievable by chilling water tojust above freezing. When the temperature is raised or the pressure isreduced, bubbles of gas tend to form in the water or other liquid, whichis known as effervescence. The rate of dissolution of gaseous carbondioxide or nitrogen from the liquid depends on the number and sizedistribution of the gas bubbles introduced into the liquid, the pressureapplied to the liquid, and the time allowed to reach the saturationlevel.

With reference to FIG. 1, an example in-line beverage dispenser assembly100 for dispensing a beverage B may comprise an example dispenser head200 and an example supplemental fluid system 400. The dispenser head 200may comprise a pump 220, an inlet of which is connected to an outlet ofa vessel 300 containing concentrate liquid C for the beverage B, suchthat the pump 220 can pump the concentrate liquid C from the vessel 300.The supplemental fluid system 400 can supply a diluent liquid D fordiluting the concentrate liquid C via a diluent channel 420, and anadditive fluid A via an additive channel 430. In some examples, thesupplemental fluid system 400 may be capable of supplying effervescibleadditive liquid A via the additive channel 430. The pump 220 can pumpconcentrate liquid C from the vessel 300 as a series of quanta into adilution chamber (not shown in FIG. 1); and a diluent duct (not shown inFIG. 1) can convey diluent liquid D from the diluent channel 420 intothe dilution chamber, in which the concentrate liquid C can mix with thediluent liquid D to dilute the concentrate liquid C and thus reduce itsviscosity. The diluted concentrate C_(d) can flow from the dilutionchamber into an additive chamber (not shown in FIG. 1). If the viscosityor dilution ratio of the concentrate liquid C is sufficiently low, itmay not be necessary to dilute it with diluent liquid D, and in suchexamples, the pumped concentrate liquid C may pass through the dilutionmechanism that includes the dilution chamber, into the additive chambercomprised in an additive mechanism without being mixed with diluent.Whether or not the concentrate liquid C has been diluted with diluentliquid D, the liquid passing from the dilution mechanism to the additivemechanism will be referred to herein as the diluted concentrate C_(d),unless otherwise stated. The additive mechanism may be configured forreceiving the additive fluid A and combining it with the dilutedconcentrate C_(d) to provide the beverage B dispensed via outlet nozzle262 into a receptacle (not shown).

The beverage B may generally comprise predetermined or calculablequantities of the concentrate liquid C, the diluent liquid D and theadditive fluid A. The dispenser assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 comprisesa regulation system (not shown) operable to regulate at least oneoperating parameter of the pump (for example, whether the pump isactivated or deactivated), the quantity of diluent liquid D that flowsinto the dilution mechanism and the quantity of additive fluid thatflows into the additive mechanism. For example, the regulation systemmay comprise a diluent valve mechanism (not shown) for regulatingwhether or not diluent liquid D can flow from the diluent channel 420into the dilution mechanism, and an additive valve mechanism (not shown)for regulating whether or not additive fluid A can flow from theadditive channel 430 into the additive mechanism.

The regulation system may comprise an electronic processor device suchas a computer microprocessor (not shown) configured to control theoperation of the diluent and additive valve mechanisms on the basis ofinput data received and processed by the electronic processor. Forexample, the supplemental fluid system 400 may comprise aradio-frequency identification (RFID) device capable of indicating therespective flow rates of each of the diluent liquid D and the additivefluid A. The regulation system may comprise a device capable ofreceiving data transmitted by the RFID device and converting the datainto electronic form for processing by the electronic processor. In someexamples, the electronic processor may be configured to determine therespective periods of time for which the diluent valve mechanism and theadditive valve mechanism should be put in an open state to allow thediluent liquid D and the additive fluid A, respectively, to flow intothe dilution mechanism and the additive mechanism, respectively, basedon their respective flow rates. The electronic processor device may puteach of the diluent valve device and the additive valve device into aclosed state after the respective periods of time, by issuing respectiveelectronic control signals. The quantities of the diluent liquid D andthe additive liquid A to be combined with the concentrate liquid C maythus be determined and regulated. Means other than RFID devices, forexample QR code or bar code readers, are also envisaged by thisdisclosure for inputting data into the regulation system.

An effervescible additive liquid may be saturated with carbon dioxide ornitrogen to a known value, thus enabling calculation of the quantity ofadditive fluid to introduce. For example, effervescible additive liquidmay be preferably provided at about 2° C., at which the saturation levelmay be known.

In examples where the additive fluid A is an effervescible liquid suchas carbonated or nitrogenated water or other aqueous liquid, it may bedesirable for the beverage to exhibit a degree of effervescence. Thedegree of effervescence may be characterizable in terms of a quantity ofgas bubble formation, potentially expressed in terms of a quantity ofgas that evolves from the beverage B as the dissolved carbon dioxide ornitrogen comes out of solution in the form of gas bubbles. Theeffervesce may be characterizable in terms of a number and sizedistribution of evolved gas bubbles, and/or a rate of gas bubbleformation, for example. It may be desirable for the effervescence to bewithin a certain range: too much effervescence may result in excess foamon the beverage B, and too little effervescence may result in thebeverage B being too flat (that is, the quantity of gas that evolveswithin the beverage is too little). In some examples, the dispenser headmay have the aspect of achieving a desired quantity of effervescence inbeverage B.

With reference to FIGS. 2A to 2E, an example dispenser head 200 maycomprise an attachment mechanism 210 for attaching the dispenser head200 to the vessel 300 containing the concentrate liquid C. The exampleattachment mechanism 210 includes a duct 211 for conveying theconcentrate liquid C from the vessel 300 to an inlet 221A of the pump220. The vessel 300 may be provided as part of the dispenser head 200,either detachably or as an integrated unit, or it may be providedseparately from the dispenser head 200. The attachment mechanism 210 maybe cooperatively configured with a counterpart mechanism comprised inthe vessel 300.

With particular reference to FIG. 2C, an example pump 220 may comprise arotor 225 within a pump housing 223, in which the rotor 225 can bedriven by a motor (not shown) coupled to a rotor transmission mechanism222 (in FIG. 2C, the axis of rotation of the rotor 225 is perpendicularto the page). The pump housing 223 may have a cylindrical inner surfacewithin which the rotor 225 can fit and rotate such that a surface areaof the rotor 225 contacts the inner surface of the pump housing 223. Thepump housing 223 may comprise resilient material and the rotor 225 mayslightly depress the inner surface of the pump housing 223 to ensure asufficiently good seal between the rotor 225 and the pump housing 223 toprevent pumped concentrate liquid C from passing between the rotorsurface area and the inner surface of the pump housing 223 where theseabut each other. In the particular example illustrated, the surface ofthe rotor 225 includes two opposite surface areas that are spacedradially inward to form respective pump chambers 226 on diametricallyopposite sides of the rotor 225 (only one of the pump chambers isindicated by 226 in FIG. 2C). The volume of each pump chamber 226 willdefine the volume of each quantum of concentrate liquid C pumped intothe dilution chamber 232 via the pump outlet 221B. Each of the pumpchambers 226 can receive concentrate liquid C when the respective pumpchamber 226 is in fluid communication with the pump inlet 221A. As therotor 225 is driven to rotate in use (in a clockwise direction asillustrated in FIG. 2C), concentrate liquid C within the pump chamber226 will be conveyed around the pump housing 223 until the pump chamber226 becomes in fluid communication with the pump outlet 221B and theconcentrate liquid C is expelled from the pump chamber 226 into the pumpoutlet 221B.

In the particular example illustrated in FIG. 2C, the pump 220 comprisesa seal membrane 227, which may be formed as a unitary part of the pumphousing 223 or joined to the rotor housing 223 by welding, adhesive orother means. The seal membrane 227 is sufficiently flexible andresilient that it can remain in contact with a relatively complex shapedrotor surface including the radially depressed area forming the pumpchamber 226. A resilient compression member 213 may be located within arear chamber 212 behind the seal membrane 227; that is, the compressionmember 213 may arranged on the side of the seal membrane 227 oppositethe side that contacts the rotor 225. In this example, the resilientcompression member 213 is elongate and has a generally “U”-like shapewhen viewed in transverse cross-section, as shown in FIG. 2C, having apair of elongate leg members seated against a fixed backing wall 214 ofthe rear chamber 212. A rib projecting from the opposite side of theresilient compression member 213 may abut the rear side of the sealmembrane 227; that is, the side of the seal membrane 227 facing the rearchamber 212. The rear chamber 212 and the resilient compression member213 are configured such that the resilient compression member 213 willbe in compression between the backing wall 214 and the seal membrane227, so that the rib of the resilient member 213 can urge the sealmembrane 227 against the surface of the rotor 225 as the rotor 225 isdriven to rotate within the rotor housing 223. The seal membrane 227will thus be urged against the surface of the rotor 225 with sufficientforce to prevent concentrate liquid C from passing between the sealmembrane 227 and the rotor 225 and, consequently from passing from thepump outlet 221B to the pump inlet 221A, and to expel concentrate C froma pump chamber 226 into the pump outlet 221B.

The example pump 220 described with reference to FIG. 2C can pump theconcentrate liquid C from the vessel 300 as a series of quanta, eachhaving a known volume and delivered to the dilution mechanism at a knownrate, determined by the angular velocity of the rotor 225 and the totaldegrees of rotation. The volume of each quantum of concentrate liquid Cwill be defined by the volume of each pump chamber 226. The quantity ofconcentrate liquid C delivered for producing a quantity of beverage Bcan be determined as a number of quanta. In other example dispenserheads, different kinds of pumps may be used, which may pump theconcentrate liquid C as a continuous stream at a known or selectableflow rate.

In various example arrangements, the pump 220 may be substantially asdisclosed in any of international patent application publication numbersWO2006/027548, WO2010/122299, WO2013/050491, WO2014060418,WO2013/050488, WO2013/117486, or WO2014/135563; or in UK patentapplication publications number GB 2 551 663 or GB 2 507 029 (althoughexample pump mechanisms are in no way limited to those disclosed inthese publications).

In certain examples, it may be desirable to reduce the viscosity of theconcentrate liquid C before it is combined with the additive fluid A, bydiluting the concentrate liquid C with a suitable diluent liquid D,particularly when the additive fluid A is an effervescible liquid. Thismay allow effervescible additive liquid A to be combined with thediluted concentrate C_(d) sufficiently gently to reduce, minimise orprevent premature or excessive effervescence of the additive liquid A orthe dispensed beverage B.

The illustrated example dilution mechanism comprises a dilution housing230 that includes a dilution chamber 232, and a diluent duct forconveying diluent liquid D from the diluent channel 420 of thesupplemental fluid system 400 into the dilution chamber 232. Thedilution chamber 232 is in fluid communication with the pump outlet andcan receive and mix together pumped concentrate liquid C as well asdiluent liquid D. The diluent duct may comprise a number of chambers,orifices and passages that are in fluid communication with each otheroperable to convey the diluent liquid D from the diluent channel to thedilution chamber 232; for example, the diluent duct may be formed of adiluent inlet 234 and an orifice 235 into the dilution chamber 232.

In the particular example illustrated in FIGS. 2C and 2D, the diluentduct may include the rear chamber 212 and is thus in fluid communicationwith the rear side of the seal membrane 227. The pressure of the diluentliquid D may thus be transmitted onto the rear side of the seal membrane227, supplementing or replacing the force applied to the seal membrane227 by the resilient compression member 213 for urging the seal membrane227 against the surface areas of the rotor 225. In some other examples,the diluent duct may be segregated from the rear chamber 212 and sealmembrane 227 by a barrier means. Thus, the force applied onto the sealmembrane 227 may be a combination of the force applied by thecompression member 213 and the pressure differential across therestricted orifice 235 (which may be referred to as a ‘jet orifice’,particularly if its area is sufficiently small that liquid passingthrough it will emerge as a jet of liquid).

With particular reference to FIGS. 2C and 2D, the diluent duct mayinclude a jet orifice 235, having a sufficiently small area that thediluent liquid D passing through it will spray into the dilution chamber232 as a jet of diluent liquid D. This may have the aspect of promotingturbulence and rapid mixing of the pumped concentrate C with the jet ofdiluent liquid D. The area of the jet orifice 235 may be substantiallysmaller than the mean cross-section area of the rest of the diluentduct, resulting in a substantial increase in the velocity and a drop inpressure at which the diluent liquid D passes from the jet orifice 235into the dilution chamber 232.

With further reference to FIGS. 2C and 2D, the example dispenser systemmay comprise a one-way valve 250 through which the diluted concentrateC_(d) will pass, configured and arranged for promoting turbulence of thediluted concentrate C_(d) and consequently promoting the rapid andthorough mixing of the diluent liquid D and the concentrate liquid C.The one-way valve 250 is preferably located on the path of the dilutedconcentrate C_(d) as it passes from the dilution chamber 232 to theadditive mechanism and suitably substantially prevents additive liquid Afrom flowing upstream into the dilution chamber 232. The dilutionmechanism or the additive mechanism may comprise the one-way valve 250,or the one-way valve may be located between the dilution and additivemechanisms.

With reference to FIG. 2E, an example one-way valve comprises a flexiblemember 250 in the form of an annular disc or ring, such as a polymerwasher, for example. The flexible member 250 may extend generallyradially from a central axis, a peripheral area of the flexible member250 abutting a seat area of the housing of the dilution mechanism whenno fluid is passing from the dilution mechanism to the additivemechanism. When at least partially diluted concentrate C_(d) iscontained within the dilution chamber 232 and in contact with a side ofthe flexible member 250, and the pressure of the diluted concentrateC_(d) is sufficiently great, the peripheral area of the flexible member250 may be deflected away from the seat and thus permit the dilutedconcentrate C_(d) to pass between the peripheral area and the seat, intoa chamber 268 included in the additive mechanism. A radially outwardcomponent may thus be imparted to the velocity of the dilutedconcentrate C_(d); the resulting increased turbulence within the atleast partially diluted concentrate C_(d) may have the effect of rapidlyimproving the homogeneity of the mixture of the diluent and concentrateliquids D, C before the diluted concentrate C_(d) is combined with theadditive liquid A. In addition, the radially outwardly moving flow ofdiluted or undiluted concentrate C_(d) may hit a radial wall of theadditive chamber, causing turbulent flow of the diluted or undilutedconcentrate C_(d) and thereby further promoting mixing.

In some examples, diluent liquid may be introduced into the dilutionchamber 232 at a pressure of about 150 kPa through the diluent orifice235. While this is likely to cause some mixing of the diluent liquid Dwith the concentrate liquid D, the diluted concentrate mixture may notbe homogeneous. The relatively pressurised diluted concentrate is thenforced past the flexible member 250, which may comprise an elastomericwasher valve in some examples, which can flex to allow the dilutedconcentrate C_(d) to pass from the dilution chamber 232. The extent towhich the flexible washer 250 flexes will generally depend on theviscosity and pressure of the diluted concentrate C_(d), and theflexibility of the washer 250. In certain preferred examplearrangements, the diluted concentrate C_(d) may be forced into arelatively thin film. To allow a sufficient quantity of the dilutedconcentrate C_(d) to pass, the length of the thin film needs tosufficiently great relative to the thickness of the film, which may beachieves if the flexible washer valve 150 is circular and has asufficiently long circumference. The diluted concentrate C_(d) in thefilm may travel at high velocity and consequently relatively lowpressure. The film exits into a first volume 268 of an additive chamber,the first volume configured to direct the film of diluted concentrateC_(d) into a centre region of the first volume 268. The high velocity ofthe diluted concentrate C_(d) and the abrupt change of its direction oftravel will likely cause further mixing and homogenisation, and uponexiting the first volume 268 of the additive chamber, the dilutedconcentrate may be a substantially homogeneous diluted mixture.

With particular reference to FIG. 2D, the regulation system of thedispenser system 200 may comprise a diluent flow control mechanism 275for regulating the flow of the diluent liquid D through the diluentinlet passage 234. For example, the diluent flow control mechanism 275may comprise a shut-off valve that can be put into an open state, inwhich diluent liquid D can pass through it, or into a closed state, inwhich the diluent shut-off valve 275 will prevent the diluent liquid Dfrom flowing into the dilution duct. The diluent shut-off valve 275 maybe seated within a valve housing 270, which may be attachable to thediluent inlet 234. The diluent shut-off valve 275 may be electricallyactuatable by means of a solenoid device (not shown), which may becontrolled by an electronic processor device (not shown). When thedispenser head 200 is used and the concentrate C is pumped into thedilution chamber 232, the diluent shut-off valve 275 may be put in theopen state so that diluent liquid D can flow into the dilution chamber232 and mix with the concentrate C. When the required quantity of thedilution liquid D has flowed into the dilution chamber 232, the diluentshut-off valve 275 may be automatically closed. The required quantity ofdiluent liquid D may be determined as being proportional to the diluentflow rate (in terms of the mass of diluent liquid D flowing through aunit area per unit time, for example) multiplied by the time period forwhich the diluent shut-off valve 275 has been open.

The additive mechanism may comprise an additive housing 260 includingfirst and second volumes 268, 266 of an additive chamber and an additiveinlet 264, which may be substantially free of corners or abrupt changesin direction in order to reduce or substantially prevent premature orexcessive effervescence of effervescible additive liquid A such ascarbonated water. Diluted concentrate liquid C_(d) (or undilutedconcentrate, in some examples) can flow from the dilution chamber 232into an uppermost volume 268 of the additive chamber via the one-wayvalve 250, in some example arrangements. In addition, additive fluid Acan flow from the additive channel 430 of the supplemental fluid system400, via the additive inlet 264 into a volume 266 of the additivechamber, where it may at least partly combine with the dilutedconcentrate C_(d) and pass through an outlet nozzle 262 into a cup orother receptacle (not shown). The additive liquid A and the diluted orundiluted concentrate C_(d) may mix partly or substantially entirely inthe additive chamber and/or in the receptacle. The additive mechanismmay include a sieve (not shown) or other suitable agitation means forpromoting the nucleation of gas and consequently the effervesce of theadditive liquid A or the beverage B, particularly for use with certainliquids that need to be agitated in order to effervesce (that is, forgas bubbles to nucleate), such as nitrogenated liquid. For example, anagitation sieve may be located at or near the outlet nozzle 262 and maycomprise sieve holes of about 750 microns in diameter or facetted holeof similar cross-sectional area.

With particular reference to FIG. 2D, the regulation mechanism maycomprise an additive flow control mechanism 285 for regulating the flowof the additive fluid A through the additive inlet 264. For example, theadditive flow control mechanism 285 may comprise an additive shut-offvalve that can be put into an open state, in which additive fluid A canpass through it, or a closed state, in which the additive shut-off valve285 will prevent the additive fluid A from flowing into the volume 266of the additive chamber. The additive shut-off valve 285 may be seatedwithin close proximity to a valve housing 280, which may be attachablein close proximity to the additive inlet 264. The additive shut-offvalve 285 may be electrically actuatable by means of a solenoid device(not shown), which may be controlled by an electronic processor device(not shown). When the dispenser head 200 is in use, the additiveshut-off valve 285 may be put in the open state so that additive liquidA can flow into the volume 266 of the additive chamber. After therequired quantity of additive fluid A has flowed into the additivechamber 266, the additive shut-off valve 285 may be automaticallyclosed. The required quantity of additive fluid A may be determined asbeing proportional to the additive liquid flow rate (in terms of themass of additive liquid D flowing through a unit area per unit time, forexample) multiplied by the time period for which the additive shut-offvalve 285 has been open.

The regulation system may comprise a pressure-responsive valve 282located within a valve housing 280. For example, the pressure-responsivevalve 282 may comprise a passage through which carbonated water A canflow and be configured such that the rate at which the carbonated waterat a temperature of about 1° C. to about 10° C. passes through passagewill be substantially constant (for example, about 16 ml/s to about 24ml/s, or about 20 ml/s) over a pressure range of about 140 kPa to about1000 kPa (higher saturation may be achieved by using higher pressures ofup to about 1000 kPa in some arrangements). In general, thepressure-responsive valve 282 may limit the variation of the flow speedof a chilled effervescible additive liquid A to no more than plus orminus about 10%, or plus or minus about 5%, as a function of thepressure of the additive liquid A in the range of about 100 kPa to about1000 kPa. The effervescible additive liquid A may contain dissolvedcarbon dioxide or suspended nitrogen at, or slightly less than, thesaturation solubility under prevailing conditions. The quantity ofadditive liquid A may be thus controlled by the timing of operation ofthe shut off valve.

In examples where the additive fluid A is an effervescible liquid, itmay be desirable for the content of dissolved carbon dioxide orsuspended nitrogen to be at or close to the saturation solubility level,and for the saturation solubility level to be as high as practicallypossible. This may be achieved by providing the effervescible additiveliquid A at a low temperature (for example, only slightly above thefreezing point of the liquid) and at a relatively high pressure. Themean diameter (or, more generally, transverse cross-section area) of asupply tube (not shown) conveying the additive liquid A to the pressureresponse valve 282 may be substantially greater than the mean diameter(or transverse cross-section area) of the passage through thepressure-response valve 282, for the pressure of the additive fluid Aupstream of the pressure-response valve 282 to be sufficiently high tokeep the liquid saturated with effervescible gas whilst reducing orsubstantially preventing effervescence at this stage. The additive inlet264 may have a smaller diameter to reduce the magnitude of the pressuredrop across the pressure-responsive valve 282, which would createexcessive breakout of gas. In some example arrangements, the flow rateand quantity of diluent liquid D may be controlled by similar mechanismsas disclosed for the additive fluid A.

With reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C, an example dispenser head 200 maycomprise a pump 220, a connection adapter 210 for connecting an inlet ofthe pump 220 in fluid communication with a vessel containing concentrateliquid C for a beverage, a dilution mechanism, an additive mechanism anda regulation system. The example dilution mechanism may comprise adilution chamber 232 within a dilution housing 230, a diluent ductcomprising a diluent inlet 234 and orifice 235 through which the diluentliquid D can pass into the dilution chamber 234, and a one-way diluentvalve 250. The additive mechanism may comprise an additive housing 260,and additive inlet 244, an additive chamber including a first additivevolume 268, a second additive volume 267, a third additive volume 266, afourth additive volume 269 and an outlet nozzle 262 for dispensingbeverage B. The additive housing 260 can be releasably coupled with thedilution housing 230 by means of a connection mechanism 238.

FIGS. 3B and 3C illustrate a particular example additive mechanism inmore detail. Diluted concentrate fluid C_(d) (which may consist ofdiluted or undiluted concentrate liquid C) can pass from the dilutionchamber 232, through a one-way valve 250 into the first volume 268 andsubsequently through the second volume 266 towards the fourth volume 269of the additive chamber. The second volume 266 includes a generallycylindrical volume extending longitudinally between the first volume 268and the fourth volume 269; the fourth volume 269 being located adjacentthe outlet nozzle 262. The third volume 267 of the additive chambersurrounds the second chamber 266, extending coaxially with the secondchamber 266. Additive fluid A can be conveyed through the additive inlet244 into the generally annular third volume 267 and distributedazimuthally around the second volume 266 conveying the dilutedconcentrate C_(d), the second and third volumes 266, 267 being separatedby a generally annular wall. A one-way additive valve 270 may be locatedbetween the third volume 267 and the fourth volume 269 such that theadditive fluid A within the third volume 267 can pass into the fourthvolume 269, but fluid cannot pass from the fourth volume 269 to thethird volume 267. The one-way additive valve may comprise a flexiblewasher 270 and may operate similarly to the one-way valve 250 locatedupstream, through which the diluted concentrate C_(d) passes; that is,the pressure of the additive fluid A in the third volume 267 can deflecta peripheral portion of the flexible washer 270 away from a seat andpass between the flexible washer 270 and the seat. The additive fluid Acan combine with the diluted concentrate C_(d) in the fourth volume 269before being dispensed through the outlet nozzle 262.

Effervescible additive fluid A may be introduced into the second volume266 of the additive chamber at a pressure of approximately 900 kPa,before flowing past the flexible washer 270 between the second volume266 and the fourth volume 269. To reduce or substantially avoidpremature or excessive effervescence of the additive liquid A (that is,to reduce nucleation of gas bubbles), the pressure of the effervescibleliquid A should be decreased from the 900 kPa to ambient pressure asgently as possible. The flexible washer valve 270 may be conical inshape and its valve seat should be correspondingly conical; a preferredexample cone angle may be approximately 45°. The diameter of the washervalve 270 may be relatively large so that the effervescible additiveliquid A emerges from between the washer valve 270 and its seat in theform of a film having a relatively large cross-sectional area. In anexample arrangement, the additive liquid A may strike the wall of thefourth volume 269 of the additive chamber at about 45°, and subsequentlyflow against the walls of the chamber. Since the diameter of the fourthvolume 269 of the additive chamber is significantly larger than that ofthe additive inlet 244 (for example, an order of 15 times greater) thevelocity of the effervescible liquid A is substantially less within thefourth volume 269 that it is in the additive inlet 244. In theillustrated example, the walls of the fourth volume 269 are conical (orfunnel-shaped) towards the outlet nozzle 262 to converge theeffervescible additive liquid A at a relatively low speed, forming asmooth, low speed stream.

The additive valve means 270 does not need to comprise a thermoplasticwasher, and in some examples, it may comprise two concentric cones,between which there is a precise gap for the passage of theeffervescible liquid A. However, a flexible washer may exhibitadvantageous self-compensation for different flow rates; in addition, adouble cone arrangement may need to be manufactured to a substantiallyhigher precision than a flexible washer.

The diluted (and substantially homogeneous) concentrate liquid C_(d)within central second volume 266 of the additive chamber may be at arelatively low pressure so that it can combine in the fourth volume 269with the effervescible additive liquid A, which is also at a relativelylow pressure because the fourth volume 269 is open to ambient pressure.Further mixing of the diluted concentrate liquid C_(d) and theeffervescible additive liquid A may occur within a receptacle into whichthe liquids are dispensed via the outlet nozzle 262. The outlet nozzle262 may be fitted with a length of tube to direct the liquids to areceptacle some distance from the outlet nozzle 262.

With reference to FIGS. 4A to 5B, an example pressure-responsive flowcontrol value assembly 282 may comprise a resilient annular valve body284 and a valve holder 286, the valve body 284 including a centralpassage 288 connecting a proximal end 283 and a distal end 285 of thevalve body 284 coaxially with a longitudinal axis L. The valve holder286 is configured to accommodate the valve body 284, comprising agenerally annular side wall 289 and having a seat 287 which the distalend 285 of the valve body 284 will abut when assembled as in use. Thevalve holder 286 includes a central exit passage 286E connecting theseat 287 to a distal end of the valve holder 286. In the particularexample illustrated in FIG. 4A, the exit passage 286E is substantiallycoaxial with, and has a larger diameter than, the passage 288 throughthe valve body 284.

In use, liquid (for example, effervescible additive liquid A) will flowthrough the passage 288 of the valve body 284 from the proximal end 283to the distal end 285, at least a radially outer area of which abuts theseat 287, and then exit the pressure-responsive valve assembly 282through the exit passage 286E of the valve holder 286. When the additivemechanism 260 is assembled as in use, the valve holder 287 will beseated within the valve housing 280 (shown in FIG. 2D). The valve body284 comprises or consists essentially of a flexible, resilient materialand is configured such that it will flex longitudinally in response toan increase in the pressure of fluid against the proximal end 283. In anunflexed state, the distal end 285 of the valve body 282 in theparticular example illustrated in FIG. 4A will be spaced apart from atleast an inner annular area of the valve seat 287 so that when the valvebody 284 flexes in response to the pressure of the fluid passing throughthe passage 288, its distal end 285 can flex towards the seat 285.

In the particular example illustrated in FIG. 4A (disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 7,225,829 B2), the valve holder further includes an annular bypasschannel 281A formed into the valve seat 287 and coaxial with the exitpassage 286E, and a longitudinal bypass channel inlet 281B, configuredsuch that when the valve body 284 is unflexed as illustrated, fluid canflow through the bypass channel inlet 281B into the annular bypasschannel 281A and then through the space between the spaced-apart innerdistal end 285 of the valve body 284 and into the exit passage 286E.Thus, there is provided a bypass channel 281B, 281A through which fluidcan pass when its pressure against the proximal end 283 of the valvebody 284 is sufficiently low for the annular bypass channel 281A to bein fluid communication with the exit passage 286E of the valve holder286. As the fluid pressure increases, the valve body 284 will flex suchthat its distal end 285 will move closer towards the inner area of theseat 285 and reduce the effective area of the bypass channel 281B, 281A.Consequently, the pressure-responsive valve assembly 282 will respond toan increase in fluid pressure by reducing the effective area throughwhich the fluid can flow, thus counter-acting the tendency for the fluidflux to increase as its pressure increases. Other examplepressure-responsive valve assemblies 282 have different configurationsand arrangements of the valve body 284 and the valve housing 286.

The valve body 284 may comprise or consist essentially of flexiblerubber material and is configured to deform in response to an increasein the pressure of the flowing fluid such that the effective passagediameter through the pressure-responsive valve assembly 282 will reducein size, thus limiting the rate at which the fluid passes through it. Asthe fluid pressure increases above a certain value, the size of theaperture decreases just enough to maintain a substantially constant flowrate. An example of a potentially suitable pressure responsive valve maybe VL3007XXXXX™, obtainable from Vernay®; other examples of potentiallysuitable pressure-responsive valves are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,609,014, 7,222,643 and 7,225,829.

In examples where the additive fluid is effervescible liquid, prematureeffervescence can be triggered by a number of factors. For example, thenucleation of gas bubbles can be caused by the presence of sharp edgesand asperities, agitation of the effervescible liquid, an increase inthe temperature of the effervescible liquid and a relatively rapiddecrease in its pressure. A decrease in the pressure will result in adecrease in the saturation concentration of the dissolved gas todecrease, resulting in the formation of gas bubbles. Since the pressureof the effervescible additive liquid may be about 690 kPa when it isintroduced into the additive chamber, it will need to decrease beforebeing dispensed into a receptacle. To reduce premature effervescence,the decrease in pressure may be deferred until the effervescible liquidis as close as possible to the outlet nozzle of the additive mechanism.In addition, a rapid decrease in the pressure would tend to increase theagitation of the liquid. Preferably, the outlet nozzle may be kept at arelatively low temperature, by keeping the outlet nozzle within arefrigerated environment, for example. This reduces effervescence andmay also be desirable for maintaining hygiene.

The capability of the pressure-responsive valve to reduce the variationin flow speed in response to a change in the pressure of the fluid mayhave the aspect of reducing the variation in effervescence (that is,frothing or foaming) of effervescible additive liquid A, were thepressure of the additive liquid A supplied by the supplemental fluidsystem may be uncertain, or differ between various systems. This effectmay arise from a phenomenon in which increasing the flow speed of aneffervescible liquid may directly or indirectly cause the liquid toeffervesce, potentially as a result of an increased risk of turbulencewithin the flowing liquid.

The dispenser head 200 may be an assembly of parts, which may beprovided assembled or in kit form, or separately-provided parts. Forexample, one or more of the valve housings 270, 280, flow control means275, 285, and the pressure-responsive valve 282 may be provided asseparate parts that can be assembled and functionally interconnected.Preferably, the dispenser head 200 is provided as a unitaryconstruction. In addition, the additive housing 260 may be provided as afixture that can be reversibly coupled to the dilution housing 230. Thedispenser head 200 may comprise an attachment mechanism 238, formed ofcooperatively configured end portions of the dilution housing 230 andthe additive housing 260, such that the respective end portions can beinter-engaged with each other. For example, the end portions may becooperatively threaded so that that the additive housing 260 can bescrewed onto the end portion of the dilution housing 230; orinter-locked with it in some other way. In some examples, the additivemechanism may be provided as a kit comprising the additive housing 260,the additive valve housing 280, the pressure-responsive valve 282 andthe shut-off valve 285.

By controlling the respective time periods over which the concentrateliquid C is pumped from the vessel 300, and the diluent andeffervescible additive fluids D, A are allowed to flow into the dilutionmechanism and the additive mechanism, respectively, to mix with theconcentrate liquid C, a desired quantity of the beverage B having thedesired concentration and carbonation or nitrogenation can be dispensed.In some examples, the pumping rate of the concentrate C, and/or theoperation of the shut-off valve 275 for the diluent D and the shut-offvalve 285 for the additive liquid A, and potentially other operatingparameters of the pump 220, may be controlled by means of an RFID chipor QR code or similar that contains the recipe for that particularconcentrate (not shown), which may be provided as part of the pump 220.The dispenser head 200 may contain a reader device that may be capableof reading the recipe of the beverage B and adjusting the ratios of theconcentrate liquid C, the diluent liquid D and the additive liquid Aaccording to the recipe.

The dispenser head 200 may include information about the liquid productfor the user, and potentially information such as the quantity ofconcentrate remaining in the vessel 300, an expiry date (or “use-by” or“best-by”) for the concentrate liquid C, the compatibility of theconcentrate liquid with the dispenser head for the dispenser operator,which may be displayable on a graphic interface provided on or with thedispenser head 200. This arrangement is particularly advantageous whenthe dispenser head 200 is fitted to the concentrate vessel 300, forsingle use with only the concentrate vessel 300.

The electronic processor may be capable of receiving electronic inputdata indicative of the pumping rate and/or the diluent flux and/or theadditive flux, and of the quantities of the concentrate C, diluent D andadditive liquid A, and the quantity of the beverage B. The electronicprocessor may be capable of processing this data to determine at leastthe time periods for which the diluent D and/or additive are to flowinto the dilution chamber 232 and/or additive chamber; and may controlthe operation of the shut-off valves 275, 285 independently from eachother by outputting respective electronic control signals.

In some examples, a dispenser assembly including the dispenser head 200may include a computer processor capable of reading radio-frequencyidentification devices (RFID) data and automatically setting operatingparameters of the dispenser head, such as the respective timings of theopening and closing of the diluent and additive shut-off valves. Atleast some of the electronic input data may be entered manually by anoperator or transmitted from sensors comprised in the pump means and/orthe dilution mechanism and/or the additive mechanism; and/or transmittedby one or more devices such as RFID, which may be comprised in thesupplemental fluid system 400, and/or provided with the concentratevessel 300. In some examples, the dispenser head 200, which may includethe concentrate vessel 300, or the concentrate vessel 300 specificallymay be provided with a means of indicating the relative proportions ofconcentrate C, diluent D and additive A should be to provide a desiredbeverage B. For example, the dispenser head may include an RFID meanscapable of providing this information.

The concentrate liquid may be a concentrated form of any of a variety ofbeverages B, for example fruit juice, beer, milk, coffee, or soft drinkssuch as cola drinks. In some examples, the concentrate liquid C may berelatively viscous and need to be diluted before being mixed withcarbonated or nitrogenated water (or other aqueous liquid) A to providethe beverage B with a desired carbonation or nitrogenation, whilstavoiding excessive foam or froth. The diluent liquid D may comprise orconsist essentially of water (or other aqueous liquid) that issubstantially free of added carbon dioxide or nitrogen in a form thatcan effervesce, and/or the additive fluid A may comprise or consistessentially of carbonated or nitrogenated water that can effervesce whencombined into the beverage B. In some examples, the additive fluid A maybe substantially free of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. In some examples,a certain amount of froth may be desirable (for example, in a coffeelatte) in which case the additive mechanism may be configured to promotecontrolled nucleation.

A user may expect the beverage B to be dispensed into a cup or otherreceptacle within a relatively short period of time; for example, inabout the time it would take to manually pour the beverage B directlyinto the cup. This requires the concentrate C to be diluted andcarbonated as it flows from the pump through the outlet nozzle 262 andinto the receptacle. In some examples, such as where the beverage B isapple juice or other fruit juice, the concentrate C may have arelatively high viscosity and needs to be diluted with diluent D beforeit can be effectively mixed with carbonated additive liquid A in asufficiently short time period. A sufficient amount of diluent fluid D,such as still water, may be mixed into the juice concentrate C tosufficiently reduce the viscosity of the diluted concentrate C_(d) forcarbonated water A to be mixed with it sufficiently quickly forconvenient dispensing.

In some examples, the concentrate liquid C (for example concentratesyrup for a cola drink or beer) may have sufficiently low viscosity thatit is not necessary to dilute it before combining it with carbonated ornitrogenated water or other aqueous liquid. In such cases, the diluentshut-off valve 275 may be kept in the closed state while the beverage Bis being dispensed. For example, cola syrup may be mixed with carbonatedwater in a ratio of about 5:1; and for some alcoholic beers 4:1; and forsome non-alcoholic beers, the ratio of concentrate to carbonated watermay be about 25:1.

The supplemental fluid unit 400 may be configured to chill the water toabout 2° C. and to pressurise it to about 700-1000 kPa just prior tobeing introduced into the dispenser head 200. Therefore, when thecarbonated water A is introduced into the additive mechanism 260, thecontent of dissolved carbon dioxide should be close to the highest levelthat can be practically achieved.

The additive channel 430 transporting the carbonated liquid ornitrogenated liquid A may be configured to promote as laminar flow aspossible to reduce or prevent effervescence until the carbonated fluid Ais introduced into the additive mechanism 260. Laminar flow may beenhanced by configuring the additive duct 430 such that it changesdirection gradually, without having abrupt corners.

Since carbon dioxide (or nitrogen) bubbles may nucleate and evolve inresponse to a decrease in pressure of the carbonated liquid A when itenters to the additive mechanism, the additive mechanism may beconfigured to provide a certain rate of depressurisation to control therate of gas bubble formation and size distribution of the gas bubbles.The carbonated liquid A may be passed through a gauze as it flows intoor through the additive mechanism to control the number and sizedistribution of bubbles and to promote controlled foaming of thebeverage.

In some examples, when the dispenser head 200 is not being used,sanitising fluid may be introduced into the dilution or additivemechanism to clean at least a portion of the dispenser head 200 open tothe environment. It may be desirable to use the diluent liquid to flushthe outlet nozzle during mixing.

The supplemental fluid system may be capable of chilling the diluentliquid D and the additive fluid A to the same or different temperaturesin the range of about 1° C. to about 10° C., and of pressurising atleast the additive liquid A to a pressure of about 600 kPa to about 1000kPa.

In some examples, the supplemental fluid system may be configured tointroduce carbon dioxide or nitrogen gas bubbles into a carrier liquidsuch as water, which is to be carbonated or nitrogenated, and then treatthe gas-containing carrier liquid such that substantially all the gas inthe bubbles dissolves into or is suspended in the carrier liquid toprovide the additive liquid that is capable of effervescing (that is,effervescible). The supplemental fluid system may reduce the temperatureof the gas-containing carrier liquid to slightly greater than itsfreezing point by passing it through a heat exchanger, thus increasingthe saturation solubility of the carbon dioxide or nitrogen within thecarrier liquid. The diluent, which may be the same kind of liquid as thecarrier liquid (for example, still water) may be passed through the sameheat exchanger, which may be a twin-coil heat exchanger, to reduce itstemperature as well, before the diluent and additive liquids D, A aresupplied in separate streams at known flow rates into the diluent inlet234 and the additive inlet 264, respectively. The pumped concentrate Cmay be aggressively mixed with the chilled diluent liquid D and thusrapidly diluted to produce diluted concentrate C_(d) having asufficiently low viscosity for subsequent mixing with the chilledeffervescible additive liquid A. The effervescible additive liquid A canthen be relatively gently combined with the diluted concentrate C_(d) inthe additive chamber and the effervescible beverage B dispensed directlyinto a cup without excessive frothing.

When introducing effervescible gas into carrier liquid to provideeffervescible additive liquid within the supplemental fluid unit, thedifferential pressure between the gas (for example, carbon dioxide ornitrogen) and the water or other carrier liquid may generally beimportant for the effective and rapid dissolution of the gas into thecarrier liquid. For example, if carbon dioxide gas is at a pressure of700 kPA and the pressure of the water is 200 kPa, then the differentiapressure is 500 kPa. Once the water carrier liquid has been saturatedwith carbon dioxide, for example, the reduction in its pressure from 700kPA should be as gradual as practically possible up to the point atwhich it is dispensed (at ambient pressure), to reduce the risk ofexcessive foaming. This may be achieved by conveying the effervescibleliquid by means of a relatively long tube having a relatively smalldiameter, or which that is slightly tapered from a small diameter to alarger diameter so that at the flow rate of the liquid is relatively lowwhere it is dispensed. A preferred method may be to convey theeffervescible liquid in a relatively short tube having a relativelylarge diameter and to locate a flow control valve as close to the outletnozzle as possible. Any dissolution of the gas as it passes through theflow control valve is immediately mixed with the concentrate liquid or apre-diluted concentrate liquid. The concentrate liquid, having a higherdensity, can absorb a higher level of dissolved gas.

In general, if effervescible liquid is combined too aggressively withconcentrate liquid, then excessive frothing or foaming may occur; theeffervescible additive liquid should generally be subject to as littleagitation as possible. Certain example dispenser heads have the aspectthat the steps of aggressively diluting concentrate liquid C and gentlycombining it with effervescible liquid A are separated to provide anin-line means of sufficiently rapidly dispensing effervescible beverageB with reduced frothing. In addition, the supplemental fluid system 400can be used to produce different beverages B from different respectiveconcentrate liquids C, in which beverages B can be quickly switched withsubstantially reduced risk of cross-contamination. For example, a firstassembly comprising the dispenser head connected to the vesselcontaining a first concentrate liquid can relatively easily and quicklybe disconnected from the supplemental fluid system and replaced with asecond assembly of dispenser head and vessel containing a secondconcentrate liquid.

In some examples, it may be desirable for the dispensed beverage to havea high degree of effervescence (that is, to be very ‘fizzy’), requiringa relatively large quantity of effervescible liquid to be combined withconcentrate liquid. In general, the higher the concentration of theconcentrate liquid, the more effervescence can be introduced in-line;and in general, the more concentrated the concentrate liquid, the higherits viscosity and the more it may need to be diluted. In general, sincethe desirable serving temperature of chilled beverages may beapproximately 8° C. (5-10° C.), and the concentrate liquid C may bestored in a refrigerated compartment at approximately 6° C., and sincethe cup is likely to be at ambient temperature (about 15-30° C.), thesupplemental fluid unit may need to introduce the diluent liquid at atemperature close to its freezing point; for example, about 2° C. forwater diluent. The effervescible additive liquid may include the highestpossible content of dissolved effervescent gas.

In some examples, the ratio of concentrate liquid to still water diluentmay be about 1:1; and the ratio of effervescible water to the dilutedconcentrate may be about 4:1.

The viscosity of the diluted concentrate may be sufficiently low thatthe final stage of mixing of the effervescible additive liquid and thediluted concentrate can take place in the cup, after being dispensed.

For a given pressure differential between the gas and liquid, a giventemperature and a given time, the maximum saturation level is a constantvalue. The dispenser head may be capable of using this known constantvalue to dispense the correct ratios of concentrate, diluent andsaturated carbonated water.

Some example dispenser heads may have the aspect of avoiding concentratebeing supplied by the supplemental fluid unit, which may produce, chilland/or pressurise, and convey only diluent fluid such as still waterand/or additive fluid such as carbonated or nitrogenated water. Adispenser head, comprising or connected to a concentrate vessel, can beconnected to the supplemental fluid unit such that the diluent and/orthe additive fluids can be conveyed from the supplemental fluid unitinto the dispenser head. The type of beverage to be dispensed can bechanged by disconnecting the dispenser head from the supplemental fluidunit and attaching a different dispenser head that is attached orattachable to a vessel containing a different concentrate liquid that issuitable for the desired beverage. Alternatively, the concentrate vesselmay be detached from the pump and a different vessel, containing adesired concentrate, can be connected to the pump. This avoids the needto clean the supplemental fluid unit to remove residual concentrate andavoids cross-contamination of the desired beverage by a residual amountof a previous concentrate. An example dispenser head may be configuredsuch that a source of sanitising liquid can be connected with thediluent inlet for introducing the sanitising fluid in such a way that itwill flow through all passageways downstream of the pump outlet.

Example dispenser heads which are provided attached to the concentratevessel may have the aspect of avoiding the risk of cross-contaminationof different concentrates that may arise if the pump assembly were usedfor pumping different concentrates. In other examples, the dispenserhead may be provided separately from the concentrate vessel, to which itmay be attached for use and subsequently detached for use with adifferent vessel containing a concentrate of the same or a differentkind.

The pump assembly may be cleaned before attaching it to a concentratevessel for use.

1. A dispenser head comprising a pump, a dilution mechanism, an additivemechanism and an outlet nozzle, the pump comprising an attachmentmechanism including a duct, a rotor rotatably mounted within a pumphousing, the pump housing comprising a pump inlet and a pump outlet,wherein the duct is in fluid flow communication with the pump inlet andthe pump outlet is in fluid flow communication with the dilutionmechanism, the dilution mechanism comprising a dilution housingcomprising a dilution chamber and a diluent duct comprising a diluentinlet and an orifice, the diluent duct being in fluid flow communicationwith the diluent chamber by means of the orifice and the pump outletopening into the diluent chamber, the diluent mechanism being connectedto the additive mechanism via a valve, the additive mechanism comprisingan additive housing comprising an additive chamber, an additive inlet influid flow communication with the additive chamber, and the additivechamber being in fluid flow communication with the outlet nozzle.
 2. Adispenser head according to claim 1, wherein the valve is configured todirect fluid flowing from the dilution chamber to the additive chamberin a radially outward direction.
 3. A dispenser head according to claim2, wherein the valve comprises a flexible member extending generallyradially from a central axis, a peripheral area of the flexible memberabutting the housing of the dilution mechanism when no fluid is flowingfrom the additive mechanism to the dilution mechanism.
 4. A dispenserhead according to claim 1, wherein the additive mechanism comprises afirst volume and a second volume, the valve being configured to directfluid flowing from the dilution chamber to the first volume of theadditive chamber in a radially outward direction, with the first volumeof the additive chamber being configured to direct the fluid passingfrom the valve into a centre region of the additive chamber.
 5. Adispenser head according to claim 4, wherein the additive inlet is influid flow communication with the second volume of the additive chamber,the second volume of the additive chamber being in fluid flowcommunication with the outlet nozzle.
 6. A dispenser head according toclaim 4, wherein the first volume of the additive chamber is configuredto direct the film of fluid flowing from the dilution chamber into acentre region of the first volume of the additive chamber.
 7. Adispenser head according to claim 4, wherein the additive mechanismcomprising the additive housing, including first and second volumes ofthe additive chamber and the additive inlet are substantially free ofcorners or abrupt changes in direction.
 8. A dispenser head according toclaim 4, where in the additive chamber further includes a third additivevolume, and a fourth additive volume.
 9. A dispenser head according toclaim 8, wherein the second volume comprises a generally cylindricalvolume extending longitudinally between the first volume and the fourthvolume.
 10. A dispenser head according to claim 8, wherein the fourthvolume is located adjacent the outlet nozzle.
 11. A dispenser headaccording to claim 8, wherein the third volume of the additive chambersurrounds the second volume, extending coaxially with the second volume,additive fluid A can be conveyed through the additive inlet into thegenerally annular third volume and distributed azimuthally around thesecond volume conveying the diluted concentrate C_(d), the second andthird volumes being separated by a generally annular wall.
 12. Adispenser head according to claim 11, wherein a one-way additive valveis located between the third volume and the fourth volume such that theadditive fluid A within the third volume can flow into the fourthvolume, but fluid cannot pass from the fourth volume to the thirdvolume.
 13. A dispenser head according to claim 1, wherein the diluentinlet and orifice are upstream of the pump outlet.
 14. A dispenser headaccording to claim 1, wherein the pump, the dilution mechanism, theadditive mechanism and the outlet nozzle are provided in the form of aunitary device.
 15. A dispenser head according to claim 1, wherein theadditive housing is releasably coupled with the dilution housing bymeans of a connection mechanism.
 16. A dispenser head according to claim1, which is disposable.
 17. A dispenser head according to claim 1,further comprising a regulation system comprising: a pump regulator forregulating the flow rate of concentrate liquid pumped into the dilutionmechanism; a diluent quantity regulator for regulating the flow rate ofdiluent liquid that flows into the dilution mechanism; and an additivequantity regulator for regulating the flow rate of additive fluid thatflows into the additive mechanism.
 18. A dispenser head as claimed inclaim 1, in which the diluent orifice has an outlet area that issufficiently small to produce a jet of diluent liquid for promotingmixing with the concentrate liquid.
 19. A dispenser head as claimed inclaim 1, in which the pump comprises a rotor housed within a pumphousing, configured such that the rotor can be driven to rotate withinthe pump housing operable to transport concentrate liquid from the pumpinlet in fluid communication with the concentrate source, to the pumpoutlet in fluid communication with the dilution chamber; a seal memberbearing against the rotor operable to prevent concentrate liquid frompassing from the pump outlet to the pump inlet, and to expel concentrateliquid into the pump outlet.
 20. A dispenser head according to claim 19,wherein the pump mechanism and the diluent duct are cooperativelyconfigured such that pressure of diluent liquid within the diluent ductcan be transmitted onto the rotor via the seal member.
 21. A dispenserhead as claimed in claim 19, wherein the pump further comprises aresilient compression member located within a rear chamber behind theseal member opposite the side that contacts the rotor.
 22. A dispenserhead according to claim 1, in which the additive inlet is configured tobe free of nucleation sites for the formation of gas bubbles withinadditive fluid when the additive fluid is an effervescible liquid.
 23. Adispenser head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the additive chambercomprises bubble nucleation means and/or is configured to includenucleation sites for promoting the formation of gas bubbles.
 24. Adispenser head according to claim 1, in which the additive mechanismcomprises an additive disperser for dispersing the additive fluid withinthe additive chamber; and is configured such that the additive fluidwill be dispersed before being combined with the diluted concentrateliquid.
 25. A dispenser head as claimed in claim 17, in which theadditive flow rate regulator is configured such that the flow rate ofthe additive fluid when its pressure is 1000 kPa is no more than 110% ofthe flow rate of the additive fluid when its pressure in the additivesource is 600 kPa.
 26. A dispenser head as claimed in claim 17, in whichthe regulation system comprises a processor configured for receivinginput data indicative of the quantity of liquid product to be dispensed,and issuing control signals operable to control at least one respectiveoperating parameter of each of the diluent quantity regulator and theadditive quantity regulator, to dispense the quantity of the liquidproduct.
 27. A dispenser head as claimed in claim 1, comprising aplurality of elements that can be functionally coupled to each other, afirst element comprising the dilution mechanism, and a second elementcomprising the additive mechanism.
 28. A dispenser head as claimed inclaim 27, comprising a coupling mechanism for reversibly connecting theadditive mechanism to the dilution mechanism such that when the additivemechanism is connected to the dilution mechanism by the couplingmechanism, diluted concentrate liquid can flow from the dilutionmechanism into the additive mechanism.
 29. A dispenser head according toclaim 1, wherein the pump, the dilution mechanism, the additivemechanism and the outlet nozzle are a unitary construction.
 30. Adispenser head according to claim 1, which is a beverage dispenser head.31. An in-line dispenser assembly comprising a dispenser head as claimedin claim 1 and a supplemental fluid supply system for supplying thediluent liquid through a diluent channel and the additive fluid throughan additive channel; configured such that the dilution mechanism can beconnected to the diluent channel such that the diluent liquid can flowfrom the diluent channel into the dilution mechanism, and the additivemechanism can be connected to the additive channel such that theadditive fluid can flow from the additive channel to the additivemechanism.
 32. An in-line dispenser assembly as claimed in claim 31, inwhich the supplemental fluid supply system is configurable for supplyingat least one of the diluent liquid and the additive fluid at atemperature in a range of 1° C. to 10° C.
 33. An in-line dispenserassembly as claimed in claim 31, in which the supplemental fluid supplysystem is configurable for supplying effervescible additive liquid at apressure of 600 to 1000 kPa.
 34. An in-line dispenser assembly asclaimed in claim 31, in which the supplemental fluid supply system iscapable of supplying carbonated or nitrogenated aqueous additive liquid.35. A method of dispensing a quantity of effervescible liquid productusing a dispenser head as claimed in claim 1, the method including:determining a quantity of concentrate liquid and a quantity of additiveliquid to be combined and dispensed as constituents of the liquidproduct, the additive liquid being effervescible liquid; providing aconcentrate source connected to the pump mechanism such that the pumpmechanism can pump concentrate liquid from the concentrate source to thedilution mechanism; activating the pump mechanism to pump the quantityof concentrate liquid into the additive mechanism; putting an additivesource into fluid communication with the additive mechanism to allow thequantity of additive liquid to flow into the additive mechanism; anddispensing the quantity of liquid product comprising the quantity of theconcentrate liquid and the quantity of additive liquid.
 36. A method asclaimed in claim 35, including: determining a quantity of diluent liquidto be combined with the quantity of concentrate liquid; putting adiluent source into fluid communication with the dilution mechanism toallow the quantity of the diluent liquid to flow into the dilutionmechanism, the quantity of concentrate liquid mixing with the quantityof diluent liquid as they flow through the dilution mechanism to providea quantity of diluted concentrate liquid to the additive mechanism forcombination with the additive liquid; and dispensing the quantity ofliquid product comprising the quantity of the concentrate liquid, thequantity of diluent liquid and the quantity of additive liquid.
 37. Amethod as claimed in claim 36, including: dispensing at least a portionof the quantity of diluted concentrate before dispensing the additiveliquid for combination with the diluted concentrate; then dispensing theadditive liquid for combination with the diluted concentrate anddispensing the remainder of the diluted concentrate if the dispensedportion is less than the quantity of the diluted concentrate to becomprised in the liquid product.
 38. A method as claimed in claim 35,including preventing any diluent liquid from entering the dilutionmechanism so that additive liquid is combined with undiluted concentrateliquid.
 39. A method of dispensing a quantity of still liquid productusing a dispenser head as claimed in claim 1, the method including:determining a quantity of concentrate liquid and a quantity of diluentliquid to be combined and dispensed as constituents of the liquidproduct; providing a concentrate source connected to the pump mechanismsuch that the pump mechanism can pump concentrate liquid from theconcentrate source to the dilution mechanism; activating the pumpmechanism to pump the quantity of concentrate liquid into the dilutionmechanism; putting a diluent source into fluid communication with thedilution mechanism to allow the quantity of diluent liquid to flow intothe dilution mechanism; and dispensing the quantity of liquid productcomprising the quantity of the concentrate liquid and the quantity ofdiluent liquid.